2 Samuel 2 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
2 Samuel 2
Anointing, burial, and the divided kingdom
Editorial Christian reading within the royal history that leads to Jesus [NT1]. The honor given Saul and Jonathan precedes the account of rival rule.
2:1–7 | David anointed in Hebron; Jabesh thanked
Verse MT 2:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:1
After this, David inquired of YHWH, saying, “Shall I go up into one of Judah’s cities?” YHWH said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:1
After this, David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up into one of Judah’s cities?” The Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The inquiry, permission, further question, and destination agree. Lord corresponds to YHWH under the declared naming policy.
Verse MT 2:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:2
David went up there, and so did his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:2
David went up there to Hebron, and both his wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek repeats Hebron explicitly and carries its sentence into verse 3. Both identify Abigail by her deceased husband; the wording does not imply that Nabal is alive.
Verse MT 2:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:3
David brought up the men who were with him, each man and his household. They settled in Hebron’s cities.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:3
and the men with him, each man and his household; and they settled in Hebron’s cities.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew expressly makes David the agent who brought up his men. Greek joins the men to those who went up in verse 2. The settlement and accompanying households agree.
Verse MT 2:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:4
The men of Judah came and anointed David there as king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh-gilead are the ones who buried Saul.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:4
Men of Judea came and anointed David there to reign over the house of Judah. They reported to David, “The men of Jabesh in Gilead buried Saul.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The anointing is over Judah’s house, not yet all Israel. The burial report agrees; Judea and Judah reflect the corresponding geographical forms in Greek.
Verse MT 2:5 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:5
David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “Blessed are you by YHWH, because you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and buried him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:5
David sent messengers to the leaders of Jabesh in Gilead and said to them, “Blessed are you by the Lord, because you have shown this mercy to your lord, to Saul, the Lord’s anointed, and buried him and Jonathan his son.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek addresses leaders and adds both Saul’s title, the Lord’s anointed, and Jonathan to those buried. Hebrew here mentions only Saul, although 1 Samuel 31 recounts the burial of his sons with him.
Verse MT 2:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:6
Now may YHWH show you steadfast kindness and faithfulness. I too will do this good for you, because you have done this thing.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:6
Now may the Lord show you mercy and truth. Indeed, I too will do these good things for you, because you have done this thing.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The blessing and David’s promised response correspond. Greek has plural good things where Hebrew has singular this good; mercy and truth retain the Greek expressions alongside Hebrew steadfast kindness and faithfulness.
Verse MT 2:7 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:7
Now let your hands be strong, and be men of valor, for your lord Saul has died. The house of Judah has also anointed me king over them.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:7
Now let your hands be strong, and become men of valor, for your lord Saul has died. Indeed, the house of Judah has anointed me king over themselves.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both connect the call for courage with Saul’s death and David’s anointing. Sons of valor / strong sons is rendered as the corresponding personal idiom men of valor.
2:8–11 | The rival kingdom and the reigns
Verse MT 2:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:8
Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth son of Saul and brought him across to Mahanaim.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:8
Abner son of Ner, Saul’s commander in chief, took Ish-bosheth son of Saul and brought him up from the camp to Mahanaim.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek specifies departure from the camp and movement upward; Hebrew says brought across. Securely corresponding Greek name forms Iebosthe and Manaem are represented by familiar Ish-bosheth and Mahanaim.
Verse MT 2:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:9
He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:9
He made him king over the land of Gilead, over Thasiri, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew Ashurites and Greek Thasiri are left distinct because the identification is uncertain. Neither is silently replaced by Assyria or by a conjectured tribe. The other regions correspond.
Verse MT 2:10 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:10
Ish-bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:10
Ish-bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years, except over the house of Judah, who followed David.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Age, reign length, and Judah’s allegiance agree. Greek attaches Judah’s exception to the reign clause. The two years are not expanded to match David’s seven years and six months in verse 11.
Verse MT 2:11 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:11
The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:11
The time David reigned in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The place, people, and duration agree. Neither source supplies a full chronology reconciling every interval in the divided rule.
Brother against brother: the need for peace
Editorial thematic comparison with Christ’s teaching on mercy in Luke 6:27–38 [NT2]. The combat and its cost remain explicit.
2:12–17 | The meeting and the contest at Gibeon
Verse MT 2:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:12
Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:12
Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The leaders, royal followers, departure, and destination correspond. Servants here describes the king’s men without deciding their legal status.
Verse MT 2:13 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:13
Joab son of Zeruiah and David’s servants went out and met them together at Gibeon’s pool. They sat down, one group on this side of the pool and the other on that side.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:13
Joab son of Zeruiah and David’s servants went out from Hebron and met them together at Gibeon’s spring. They sat down, one group on this side of Gibeon’s spring and the other on that side of the spring.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek names Hebron as the departure point and describes a spring, where Hebrew names a pool. The opposing groups’ positions agree; no archaeological identification is required by the translation.
Verse MT 2:14 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:14
Abner said to Joab, “Please let the young men rise and play before us.” Joab said, “Let them rise.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:14
Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men rise now and play before us.” Joab said, “Let them rise.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both use a play verb for the proposed encounter. The following deaths show its lethal character; a harmless sporting contest is not supplied in place of the narrated action.
Verse MT 2:15 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:15
They rose and passed over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:15
They rose and passed over by number: twelve of Benjamin’s young men belonging to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek expressly calls Benjamin’s contingent young men belonging to Ish-bosheth. Both number twelve on each side.
Verse MT 2:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:16
Each seized his opponent’s head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they fell together. That place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:16
Each seized his opponent’s head with his hand and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they fell together. That place was named Portion of the Plotters, which is in Gibeon.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly names the hand and gives a translated place-name, Portion of the Plotters. Hebrew Helkath-hazzurim is retained because its flints / sword-edges wording is uncertain. Thrust supplies the verb required by the elliptical sword clause in English.
Verse MT 2:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:17
The battle was very severe that day, and Abner and Israel’s men were defeated before David’s servants.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:17
The battle was very severe that day, and Abner and Israel’s men were defeated before David’s servants.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The battle’s severity and the defeated and victorious sides agree. The opposing forces remain Israelites in the narrative.
2:18–23 | Asahel’s pursuit and death
Verse MT 2:18 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:18
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was swift on his feet, like one of the gazelles in the field.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:18
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was light on his feet, like a gazelle in the field.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The three brothers and gazelle comparison correspond. Greek’s light-footed expression and Hebrew’s swift-footed expression describe the same ability.
Verse MT 2:19 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:19
Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:19
Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both stress the unbroken pursuit with the same directional pair. The repeated name is retained.
Verse MT 2:20 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:20
Abner turned behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He said, “It is I.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:20
Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He said, “It is I.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The backward look, identification, and reply agree in substance.
Verse MT 2:21 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:21
Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left. Seize one of the young men and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel was unwilling to turn aside from following him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:21
Abner said to him, “Turn to the right or to the left. Seize one of the young men and take his full armor for yourself.” But Asahel was unwilling to turn aside from following him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek panoplia explicitly means a full set of armor; Hebrew halitsah is rendered more broadly as equipment in this military setting. The offered alternative and Asahel’s refusal agree.
Verse MT 2:22 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:22
Abner again said to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I lift my face to your brother Joab?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:22
Abner again said to Asahel, “Withdraw from me, lest I strike you to the ground. How could I lift my face to Joab? And where do these things lead? Return to your brother Joab.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek expands the warning with a difficult additional question and an explicit return command. Its question literally asks where these things are; lead is a provisional contextual completion. Hebrew has neither added clause. The earlier NETS comparison could not be rechecked [N].
Verse MT 2:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:23
He refused to turn aside. Abner struck him in the belly with the butt of the spear, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. Everyone who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died stopped.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:23
He was unwilling to withdraw. Abner struck him in the loins with the butt of the spear, and the spear passed out through his back. He fell there and died beneath him. Everyone who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died stopped.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names the belly; Greek the loins. Greek beneath him preserves its less explicit pronoun, while Hebrew’s corresponding local expression is rendered on the spot. Both specify the spear’s butt and passage through the body.
2:24–32 | The appeal to stop and the reckoning of losses
Verse MT 2:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:24
Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. The sun was setting when they reached the hill of Ammah, opposite Giah, on the road to Gibeon’s wilderness.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:24
Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. The sun was setting when they reached the hill of Amman, facing Gai, on Gibeon’s desert road.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The pursuit and sunset correspond, but the uncertain local names Ammah / Amman and Giah / Gai are preserved separately. The road descriptions also retain their different constructions.
Verse MT 2:25 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:25
The sons of Benjamin gathered behind Abner and formed one band. They stood on the top of a hill.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:25
The sons of Benjamin gathered behind Abner and formed one company. They stood on the top of a hill.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both describe the Benjaminites regrouping as one body on a hilltop. Greek’s gathering or meeting expression is rendered contextually as company, without adding another encounter.
Verse MT 2:26 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:26
Abner called to Joab and said, “Will the sword devour forever? Do you not know it will be bitter in the end? How long before you tell the people to turn back from pursuing their brothers?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:26
Abner called to Joab and said, “Will the sword devour forever? Do you not know it will be bitter in the end? How long will you fail to tell the people to turn back from pursuing our brothers?”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek eis nikos is rendered forever in this appeal to stop the sword, an idiom expressly identified for this verse by Thayer [D1]. Its victory sense in other contexts does not require that sense here. Greek says our brothers where Hebrew says their brothers. Both appeal to end the pursuit.
Verse MT 2:27 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:27
Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, then from morning the people would have withdrawn, each from pursuing his brother.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:27
Joab said, “As the Lord lives, if you had not spoken, then from early morning the people would have gone up, each after his brother.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew expressly has from after his brother; Greek has after his brother without from. The compressed counterfactual and which earlier speech it recalls remain difficult. From morning is retained rather than silently changed to until morning. The oath titles also differ.
Verse MT 2:28 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:28
Joab blew the shofar, and all the people stopped. They no longer pursued Israel and did not continue fighting.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:28
Joab sounded the trumpet, and all the people withdrew. They did not pursue Israel and did not continue fighting.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew says the people stopped; Greek says they withdrew. Both end the pursuit and fighting. Shofar preserves the Hebrew instrument name alongside Greek trumpet.
Verse MT 2:29 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:29
Abner and his men traveled through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan, traveled through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:29
Abner and his men went westward all that night. They crossed the Jordan, traveled the entire stretch, and came to the camp.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names the Arabah, Bithron, and Mahanaim; Greek gives westward, an unnamed entire stretch, and the camp. The Greek stretch expression leaves its object unstated and may describe distance or duration; no map-based correction is inserted.
Verse MT 2:30 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:30
Joab returned from pursuing Abner and gathered all the people. Nineteen men of David’s servants, and Asahel, were missing.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:30
Joab returned from following Abner and gathered all the people. Nineteen men of David’s servants, and Asahel, were counted.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s roll-call verb is rendered missing; Greek’s is counted, without an explicit missing adjective. In context this is the casualty reckoning, not a statement that Asahel survived. Both give nineteen men besides Asahel.
Verse MT 2:31 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:31
David’s servants struck down men of Benjamin and Abner’s men; three hundred sixty men died.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:31
David’s servants struck down three hundred sixty men from the sons of Benjamin, Abner’s men, belonging to him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew explicitly states that three hundred sixty men died. Greek closes with belonging to him, most naturally Abner, rather than a death clause. The publisher Greek includes Abner’s men, which is retained. The earlier reported NETS omission could not be rechecked [N].
Verse MT 2:32 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 2:32
They carried Asahel away and buried him in his father’s tomb at Bethlehem. Joab and his men traveled all night, and day dawned for them in Hebron.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 2:32
They carried Asahel away and buried him in his father’s tomb at Bethlehem. Joab and the men with him traveled all night, and day dawned for them in Hebron.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The burial place, overnight journey, and dawn at Hebron correspond. The narrative closes with burial and return rather than a further victory celebration.